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Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling

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Amature questions

Posted: 7/3/02 12:47amMessage 1 of 6
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Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
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Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
I have 2 rather amature questions, and I'm almost embarrased to ask, but here it goes...

1) What does "mid-engine" mean?
2) What is the difference between "Big-Block" and "Small-Block"?

|confusing|

Thanks!

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: Vette Registry 

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

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Amature questions

Posted: 7/3/02 12:31pmMessage 2 of 6
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Vette(s): 1982 blue cpe AFR HEADS 4 DCOE WEBER CARBS, CAM TECHNIQUES, msd , on board ign control and lots of other mouse food
A mid engine cars has the engine it self located behind the driver . Strangely the 911 series porsche and beetle are not midengined cars. Most midengined cars have the transaxle unit located behind the rear mounted engine . An interesting exception to this rule would be the front engined panoz race car,,,,, the engine is located close enough to the center of the chassis to be referred to as a mid engine.

The real difference between the large and small block is readily seen by examining the clyinder heads . The big block heads do not have adjacent exhaust ports whereas the small block does . There is also weight and some external dimensions that are different. A quick look at the big block exhaust manifolds and valve covers will quickly identify the big block.

geo |blinkyeyes|
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Amature questions

Posted: 7/3/02 3:57pmMessage 3 of 6
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Eagleville, PA - USA
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Ok, thanks for those answers... that leads me to two more questions:

1) Are there any advantages/disadvantages to having a Mid Engine vs. a Front Engine?

2) Are there any advantages/disadvantages to having a Big Block vs. a Small Block?

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: Vette Registry 

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

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Amature questions

Posted: 7/3/02 6:15pmMessage 4 of 6
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Vette(s): 1982 blue cpe AFR HEADS 4 DCOE WEBER CARBS, CAM TECHNIQUES, msd , on board ign control and lots of other mouse food
Weight distribution for the midengine configuration is great!


Next question is easy,,,big block equals big power without a lot of big dollar parts. Using common sense a tuner can make you smile when you drive a big block ! Then there is the mileage question and front end weight,,,,,,,,,personally I like big blocks,,,,IE glenns cruiser

Geo |blinkyeyes|

|UPDATED|7/3/2002 6:15:41 PM|/UPDATED|
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Amature questions

Posted: 7/4/02 12:06amMessage 5 of 6
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TAMPA, FL - USA
Joined: 12/4/2001
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Vette(s): 1974 Roadster being restored now!
|QUOTE|Adam said: Ok, thanks for those answers... that leads me to two more questions:

1) Are there any advantages/disadvantages to having a Mid Engine vs. a Front Engine?



Adam, I can address this question. I've got a Toyota MR2, with the engine in the middle of the car (it's fun to see the mechanic looking flabbergasted searching for the engine during oil changes |rollysmile| ). The mr2 is one of the best handling cars I have ever driven period. It has handling characteristics that if you care to (dare to?) learn, it's scary what you can do. Basically it's about the inertia of the car, and how physics kick in during turns.
Mid-engine makes the car a lot more predictable and you can do crazier things. |biggrin|

Imran 74 Convt + 91 MR2 |thumb|
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Amature questions

Posted: 7/9/02 7:03amMessage 6 of 6
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DOWNINGTOWN, PA - USA
Joined: 11/24/2001
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Vette(s): 1969 Monza Red Black Conv / Black Vinal hardtop 454/480 Tremec 5 Speed 308 Posi.Black Leather Interior, PS, PW, Air cond., tilt/tele,AM/FM Cass.-5 Pack CD, Hurst Shifter, side pipes 2004 Yellow convertible with black top and black interior
Adam,
Look for the GM display at Carlisle this year and see if the Astro Vette is there. It is a "prototype" built by GM with a mid engine 427. We had it at our show two years ago. Absolutely awesome how they fit that engine in there. It was designed for back when mechanics were mechanics ( no offense guys ) and went home every day missing 2 or 3 pints of blood from cuts and scraped knuckles. Geo is right.....no replacement for displacement !!!
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